The NFL Network will premiere A Football Life this Thursday at 9 p.m. ET. We know you've all been waiting for this ever since 2009, when Belichick became the first person ever wired for an entire season, and so we've gone ahead and put together some of the highlights for you.

But first, a warning: we have a sneaking suspicion that the main reason the generally reserved (that's putting it mildly, of course) Belichick agreed to this whole ordeal is that the man rarely speaks. And when he does, it is not exactly riveting. This is one area in which Rex Ryan will always win.

Still, we've seen the first episode of A Football Life, and it is pretty fascinating to listen to Belichick and Tom Brady sort out the best way to deal with Ed Reed before their Week 4 game against the Ravens, and to hear Belichick trash-talking players like Reed and Ochocinco before the kickoff. That is, of course, where he seems most comfortable using actual words. And as with everything NFL Films does, the series is well-produced, rivetingly insider-y, and scored with dramatic string music. Rudy would be proud.